Tesla sent employees the most passive-aggressive confidentiality email

Do not forget whom you serve.
 By 
Proma Khosla
 on 
Tesla sent employees the most passive-aggressive confidentiality email
Tesla CEO Elon Musk departs US Federal Court following a hearing in a lawsuit brought against him by the United States Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) for actions related to Musk's social media usage. Credit: JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Tesla emailed its employees on Thursday to caution them against leaking company information, especially to the press.

The email, which was leaked to the press, ostensibly pits Tesla and its employees against "outsiders" and those who will "do anything to see us fail."

"As a result of our success, we will continue to see an interest from people who will do anything to see us fail," the Tesla email reads. "This includes people who are actively seeking proprietary information for their own gain, targeting Tesla employees through personal networks or on social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter."

In the past, information leaks have not led to the kindest press for Tesla, including exposure of product issues and tenuous business relationships. The email details almost half a dozen examples of recent confidentiality breaches and the actions Tesla took against those employees.

"Tesla will take action against those who improperly leak proprietary business information or violate the non-disclosure obligations to which we all agreed," it continues. "This includes termination of employment, claims for damages, and even criminal charges."

It goes on to invoke employees' confidentiality agreements and to offer resources for those who "may benefit from training or a more complete understanding of how to protect our intellectual property and confidential business information."

You can read the full email over at CNBC.

Topics Tesla Elon Musk

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Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.

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